We woke up in the car park of the Bourbaki forest, where we'd spent the night. It wasn't an enchanted forest or particularly picturesque, but as the weather was in a good mood, we went for a walk before setting off. The smell of damp leaves, twisted trunks, crunchy branches under my paws... That's enough for me. Dad Edu was still half asleep, but walking clears his head. For me, it clears my urge to run around like a loon. So, everyone happy.

After the walk, back to the car and heading north. Today we were facing a good stretch of driving, the kind where you have to clench your bum in the seat and watch the scenery go by on the motorway. But note: no tolls, because in this part of France you can still drive without being ripped off every 30 km. I appreciate it from my bed, with my gentle snores well placed.

Suddenly, a sign in sight! Cirque de Mourèze. Dad Edu and I looked at each other as if to say, "What's this?" And of course, we had to explore. The Cirque de Mourèze is, as we understood it, a natural area with very curious calcareous rock formations, like sculptures made by a bored giant with a hammer. Some look like human figures, others animals, and together they look like a peculiar place. But we didn't get to see it in person, so we left it as theoretically interesting.

We diverted to the village of Mourèze eager for adventure. But of course, the car park right next to the site was pay-to-park. As we are very clever and a bit tight, we retreated less than a kilometre and found a free car park. We parked with pride... and then it started to rain. Not a friendly drizzle. Nope. Torrential rain. Excursion cancelled. Goodbye magic stones, hello windscreen wipers.

We went back to the motorway like someone returning home after a failed fling. We stopped at midday at a service area, ate, rested, and resumed the route. And then came one of the highlights of the day: the Millau Viaduct.

This beast is a colossal bridge that crosses the Tarn valley in the south of France. It is the tallest bridge in the world, with pillars that look like skyscrapers and a design so elegant that even the birds look at it with envy. A couple of years ago we had seen it from below, impressed. But this time we crossed it. Of course, paying the toll is mandatory. The bridge cashes in on its fame, it doesn't mess around.

After crossing it, we parked in the Millau area to see it from the viewpoint. You have to climb about 40 metres on a path of almost half a kilometre, but I climbed with Dad Edu so happy. From above, the bridge is seen in all its splendour, and we took some selfies with the face of "we are on top of the world" although I could only see the tip of my snout.

Then we continued the route. The day was already advanced because our post-lunch nap was a bit longer than expected. We had to find a place to sleep. We found a motorhome area near Sévérac-d'Aveyron, but it was full of monster-campers the size of a mothership, and the place had neither soul nor charm. So we kept going.

After about twenty minutes, we found our ideal little corner. It's at the start of a trail, on the edge of a forest, with some shade but also with light because the sun cheered up and came out again. There's grass to roll around in, a picnic table for Dad Edu to think he's on an organised excursion, and a menhir! Yes, like in Asterix. And only two metres away, right next to it, a Holy Christ who watches over us with a face that says "don't make noise at night". It makes me a little uneasy, but as long as it doesn't move, everything's fine.

Here we're going to spend the night. Peaceful, with trees in the background, a road nearby but no traffic, and a mix of nature, history and spirituality. All that's missing is a magic potion... but I already have my bowl full.

Tomorrow will be another day. And hopefully, without rain.